Can I Use Hyaluronic Acid on My Lips?

With the winter chill, slowing creeping in you may find yourself reaching for your lip balm on a constant basis. Chapped and dry lips are a concern for many of us, and even with our trusty balm, the problem never seems to completely go away.

This will no doubt explain why we have seen the question “can I use hyaluronic acid on my lip?” appear in our inbox on a regular basis. So, today we will be discussing how this clever, and popular humectant works and how it can be used on your lips. Before we dive right in, let’s quickly have a refresher on what this acid does for the skin, by all means, if you’re a skin pro you can skip this next part. 

What is Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic acid (also known as HA) is a natural occurring sugar found in the body and can also be derived from sugar cane for skincare formulas. Known as a humectant, it is able to hold a thousand times its weight in water. When applied topically to the skin it can draw water in from the atmosphere surrounding the face and other skincare formulas, locking them into the lower layers and leaving the complexion, plumped, and hydrated with the skin’s barrier protect from exposure to free radicals, such a UV rays, pollution, and other environmental aggressors, all of which causes damage to the skin. This damage can be hyperpigmentation, premature signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as skin sagging. You’ll find that the latter is also helped by hyaluronic acid as it is able to reach down into the lower layers of the skin and boost the production of collagen and elastin leaving you with a plumped, youthful complexion that is full of bounce.

If you wanted to know more about hyaluronic acid, check out our dedicated blog post about all its benefits and what it does for the skin.

What happens if you put hyaluronic acid on your lips?

Just like the rest of the face, our lips are prone to loosing moisture throughout the day. By dabbing some hyaluronic acid onto your lips, you are ensuring this clever ingredient draws moisture into your lips and locks it into place. This results in a softer, smoother, hydrated pout with all signs of dryness, cracks, and irritation significantly reduced. You may also find that your lips feel and looking slightly plumped thanks to the collagen boosting results of HA. This probably explains why injectable treatments, such as fillers, are achieved using a form of hyaluronic acid. Admittedly, if its bigger lips you are craving, topical HA will not give you the same results, but is a great alternative if you’d prefer to avoid using injectables. 

Is hyaluronic acid good for lip lines?

Absolutely! Hyaluronic acid is a great ingredient to use to combat lip lines. By applying HA to your lips and the area around the mouth you are boosting the hydration which will result in lines becoming ironed out with an overall improved smoother, line free appearance. As for lines that are significantly deeper and have become static, meaning they are visible even when your mouth is relaxed, this may require a more potent, anti-ageing treatment or product formulation. Before you try anything new, consult with a doctor, medical professional, and trained practitioner, to find the best treatment or product for you.

How do I use hyaluronic acid to plump my lips?

If you imagine your skin and lips are like a balloon that has started losing the air, it appears smaller, lost its firmness, and looks wrinkly, exactly how your skin will appear when it is lacking in the hydration it needs. You can use a hyaluronic acid enriched serum or specifically formulated lip product to plump your lips. By applying topical HA onto your lips will fill every skin cell with essential moisture which will result in them looking plumped and naturally fuller, with fine lines, wrinkles and cracks significantly improved.

Luckily for us all, the bee-stinging lip plumping formulas of years gone by have been knocked off their throne. Instead, you will find a plethora of formulas containing hyaluronic acid have proven results in hydrating and plumping the lips without any discomfort or trauma cause to the lips.

Does hyaluronic acid lighten lips?

Yes, if pigmentation around the mouth and lips is an area of concerns for you, HA can combat this and brighten the skin. It can do this by working in the lower layers of the skin and ensuring the protective skin barrier is strengthened and functioning correctly, meaning it is able to combat free radicals that creates dark spots and hyperpigmentation. By counteracting this damage and keeping the skin hydrated, over time you’ll find that areas of pigmentation appear lightened and brighter with dark spots becoming a lot less noticeable to the naked eye.

Will putting hyaluronic acid on my lips make them bigger?

Yes, indeed it will! As I have previously mentioned hyaluronic acid is the ingredient found in injectable lip fillers used to give the lips a bigger, plumper appearance. This can also be achieved when you apply HA onto the lips topically, however not quite as effective. If you are looking to use a lip product enriched in hyaluronic acid daily you will find the lips appear smoother, softer, with fine lines notably reduced. This will fade each evening and will require you to reapply each morning, if it is a more prominent look you are wanting, I would suggest doing your own research in finding an aesthetic practitioner with the most experience and qualifications that will guide you with the next steps.

Can I use face serum on my lips?

Yes, you can, serums are formulated to penetrate further into the epidermis compared to moisturisers and balms. Many have found doing this deliver impressive results and ideal for combating chapped lips, particularly in the winter. If you would prefer not to use a face serum to your lips, there are plenty of lip care formulations that contain the popular humectant. 

There you have it, a little more information about whether you can use hyaluronic acid on your lips. Don’t forget you can come and ask us a question over on Procoal’s Instagram, just give us a follow!